Virtual Screening Enabled Selection of Antiviral Agents Against Covid-19 Disease Targeting Coronavirus Endoribonuclease NendoU: Plausible Mechanistic Interventions in the Treatment of New Virus Strain

SARS-CoV-2 is the seventh coronavirus that is reported to cause infection in Homo sapiens. Considering its pandemic nature, development of newer and effective therapeutic strategies, drug repurposing in combination with target validation approaches has led to the identification of new antiviral molecules. In current work, we performed virtual screening and molecular docking of 8548 ligands on target protein coronavirus endoribonuclease NendoU (3VWW). The molecules selected includes FDA approved drugs along with investigational or experimental drugs recommended for anticancer, antiviral, antimicrobial, and antiprotozoal properties. The thorough selection and their rationality with Covid-19 led us to propose that FDA approved drug DB00876 (Eprosartan), Investigational drugs DB15063 (Inarigivir soproxil), DB12307 (Foretinib) and DB01813 an experimental drug may be repurposed for treatment of Covid-19 disease.